Hug it out! Entourage returns!
“Entourage” is back on HBO next weekend. Along with “Weeds,” it was one of the two shows that helped get me through the early months of parenthood. Granted, I’ve been a fan since it debuted in the first season, but season two really brought a level of excellence. My favorite episode of the season was the one when Vince and his friends go to San Diego Comicon to promote “Aquaman” and have a run-in with a Harry Knowles-inspired online entertainment journalist played brilliantly by Rainn Wilson. Also, it was revealed thatVincent Chase’s hapless, hack actor older brother was once the star of a short-lived genre show, “Viking Quest,” and had a huge cult fan following. Drama effortlessly navigates Comicon like a seasoned pro, a star in a world unknown to Chase, Eric and Turtle. Great stuff.
The thing that works on the show, and what I think makes it resonate with people, is the unapologetic portrayal of male relationships. It really gets how men interact with each other — and does it in a way that avoids negative stereotypes. They also dispense with the usual contrived character conflicts so prevelant on television — first and foremost, “Entourage” is a show about a group of blue collar guys from Queens living big in LA. They know their success is temporary, but they’re all committed to enjoy it while it lasts. HBO ordered 20 episodes this time, and I hope the writing staff is able to keep up the quality. If you haven’t seen it yet, you should really consider catching up on Netflix.
Also returning is “Deadwood,” an old favorite of mine. But it’s bittersweet — the season reportedly ends on a cliffhanger, but series producer David Milch decided not to continue because he’d rather make a show about a surfer. What a way to get me excited about Deadwood’s third season. I’m not even sure I’m going to bother watching.
Television | jeff | 03 June 2006 |
